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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Insect Behavior and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #317388
Title: Establishing the discriminating concentration for permethrin and fipronil resistance in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) (Acari:Ixodidae), the brown dog tick

Author
item EIDEN, AMANDA - University Of Florida
item KAUFMAN, PHILLIP - University Of Florida
item Allan, Sandra - Sandy
item OI, FAITH - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Pest Management Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/2/2015
Publication Date: 7/1/2016
Citation: Eiden, A.L., Kaufman, P.E., Allan, S.A., Oi, F. 2016. Establishing the discriminating concentration for permethrin and fipronil resistance in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) (Acari:Ixodidae), the brown dog tick. Pest Management Science. 72(7):1390-1395.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.4165

Interpretive Summary: The brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, is a widespread and common pest associated with canines and notoriously difficult to control. Repeated pesticide treatments inside residences in attempts to control these ticks expose human residents to high levels of pesticide exposure. In this study, a scientist at the USDA-Agriculture Research Service, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida, collaborated with faculty at University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, to develop a diagnostic method for determining pesticide susceptibility levels of field-collected brown dog ticks. With this approach, appropriate levels of pesticide and effective active ingredients can be selected to optimize tick control and reduce human exposure to pesticides while controlling ticks.

Technical Abstract: Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille), the brown dog tick, is a veterinary canine and urban pest. These ticks have been found to develop permethrin resistance and fipronil tolerance, two commonly used acaricides. We developed a discriminating concentration that can be used to rapidly detect permethrin and fipronil resistance in brown dog tick populations. The availability of a discriminating concentration for the brown dog tick allows for an inexpensive and rapid resistance diagnostic technique that can be used to guide tick management plans for companion animals and aid in the selection of environmental treatment options. Permethrin and fipronil discriminating concentration establishment for brown dog ticks allows for a resistant:susceptible screening. For permethrin the discrimination concentration was set at 0.19% and for fipronil 0.15%. Three additional diagnostic concentrations were set to evaluate resistance levels when larval tick numbers are available for screening. Future tick submissions from residences and kennel facilities can be subjected to a single chemical concentration to diagnose resistance, which minimizes time, costs, and tick rearing and guides effective control plans. With the standardized use of larval ticks, the typical client-submission quantity of ideally five engorged females would provide a sufficient quantity of larvae to utilize this technique.